THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

A VOW AND MEMORIES

The red sand desert was steaming hot even at night. Nearby beasts and animals hid as a majestic golden caravan moved swiftly, leaving imprints on the sand.

Massive lions pulled luxurious carriages, while disciples in golden-brown robes engraved with a roaring lion emblem rode spirit beasts.

In front, a light-skinned man with a full-grown dark beard and sharp golden eyes — Elder Sung — suddenly sighed.

"Strange... I sensed a great battle aura mixed with a breakthrough fluctuation earlier. And now it's completely gone. Could someone have found a hidden realm on the Void Mountain?"

"Master, if it's a new secret realm or something else, then it would be ours." Beside him, a beautiful young woman wearing inner disciple robes and carrying a spear replied.

Elder Sung nodded.

"The ancestor spoke of treasures capable of pushing one's power beyond the Nascent Soul realm in a short time," Elder Hu stepped forward, his deep brown aura radiating with power.

"Stay alert. Whoever caused that disturbance might still be around. If they are strong, recruit them. If they resist, kill them. We of the Lion Clan do not share opportunities," Elder Sung said, clenching his fists.

The expedition picked up speed.

Back on the mountain, Chris remained unconscious, his breathing shallow. Blood slowly dried on his torn robe.

The glowing archway of the Void Mountain pulsed gently beside him, almost as if watching over his body.

[Arrival Time: 1 Hour 47 Minutes]

[Recommendation: Host Must Wake Up And Either Hide Or Prepare For A Possible Confrontation]

[Warning: Lion Clan Is A Mid-tier Sect Under Zaria Sect. Their Elders Are Strong]

A cool breeze blew over Chris's body, carrying the faint roar of distant spirit lions.

"Gunshots shattered the quiet night in the neighborhood."

"Chris! Hide!" His mother screamed, pushing him toward the back window.

Bullets ripped through the thin walls.

His mother shoved him down just as another spray of gunfire tore through the room.

"JESUS!" she cried out, blood spilling from her stomach and right shoulder.

"Mummy!" Chris yelled, eyes widened in horror.

He crawled towards her, heart pounding in his chest. "Mama! No! Please stay with me."

Another burst of gunfire penetrated the room.

Chris fell on both knees, one hand placed over his chest as blood dripped out uncontrollably. He collapsed beside his mother, blood filling his mouth.

His mother's trembling hand reached for him, her pupils growing dark.

"Live... my pikin," she whispered weakly. "You must survive... for us both."

The light in her eyes disappeared.

"Mom! Mom! Mama!" He roared, one hand trying to stop the bleeding from his chest.

The world faded around him as sirens wailed in the distance.

His body jerked violently on the ground. Tears slid down the side of his face as the memory burned through his mind.

"Argh." His eyes snapped open with a sharp gasp.

He clutched his chest instinctively, breathing hard.

"Mama! Mama! Mama!" He crawled around, blood on his hands, screaming and shouting, calling out to a memory long dead.

[Host Has Regained Consciousness]

[Healing Progress: 70%]

[Warning: Lion Clan Expedition Team Arriving In 40 Minutes]

Chris paused. He sat up slowly, tears dropping down his chin, his knuckles whitening.

"I NO GO DEY HELPLESS, EVER AGAIN," he vowed, blood still on his hands.

He gazed upwards. The night sky was beautiful. Dead Qi beasts lay scattered around him.

The archway still pulsed peacefully, as if it had been guiding his unconscious body the entire time.

He wiped the tears from his face while staring at the stars.

"Mummy... I don't know where you are. I don't know if you fit see me? But I never forget. I go live well. No matter how tough, I go become strong like you always prayed for."

"I will become a God!" Chris said. The last teardrop fell from his chin.

A dangerous light returned to his eyes as he pushed himself to his feet.

"Ahhhh," he groaned. He jumped a few times to test his body.

"I can feel my bones shifting," he muttered, clenching his jaw.

He looked towards the western desert. He could feel the powerful auras approaching.

[Warning: Lion Clan Expedition Team Arriving In 30 Minutes]

"30 minutes?" Chris whispered, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Not enough time to run far," he sighed. "And currently, I don't feel like running."

He glanced at the glowing archway, then back in the direction of the approaching Lion Clan.

A cold, ruthless smile formed on his bloody lips.

"I go fight una, but I no go die. God dey with me," the Naija youth said.

He dragged himself a short distance away from the archway and hid behind a cluster of boulders.

Chris set up a little ambush with the limited time and strength he had left.

He sat cross-legged and began circulating his Qi with the beast essence extracted from the cores. Sweat broke out across his entire body.

His eyes glowed bright golden.

[Lion Clan Expedition Has Arrived]

Thirty disciples and three powerful Elders dismounted their spirit lions, eyes surveying the area.

"Master, look! A hidden realm entrance!" Lira exclaimed, a smile appearing on her face.

Elder Sung stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the battlefield.

"Whoever killed this many beasts is quite powerful... and probably still around. Everyone be on guard," he ordered, eyes studying the archway and beast corpses.

Ten disciples moved close to the archway to investigate.

"Watch out!" Elder Hu yelled.

Too late. Chris struck fast.

"SHEPE!"

[Voice Of The Streets Activated]

The powerful sonic wave slammed into the group at point-blank range before they could recover.

Chris went all out. Pressure Of Tinubu! Shield Of Shege! One Blade, Ten Thousand Cries! — all unleashed in rapid succession.

In three minutes, all ten disciples lay dead. Their bodies were severed or crushed, and the smell of blood cloaked the air.

Those left were stunned.

"Insolent bastard!" Elder Sung roared, his aura exploding outward.

The Naija youth's chest rose and fell heavily, blood dripping from his mouth.

Slowly, his feet moved backwards.

"Kill the brat!" Elder Hu commanded.

"Wait!" Elder Sung raised his hand, stopping everyone from attacking.

For a moment, Chris and Sung locked eyes, bloodlust spilling from both individuals and choking the air.

The clouds gathered. Thunder boomed violently.

Rain began pouring down.